TORONTO (Sept. 17, 2002) — Opponents of a proposed new federal standard for the number of hours a truck driver can work plan to make a final plea to stop changes to the rules.

Leaders of several labour unions and Canadians for Responsible and Safe Highways, the lobby group known as CRASH, have asked to address a meeting of provincial transport ministers in Winnipeg on Sept. 20. The ministers are expected to endorse a proposal that would allow a driver to work up to 14 hours each day — 13 at the wheel — followed by a 10-hour rest period.

In a press release, officials with CRASH, the Canadian Auto Workers, the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Communications Energy and Paperworkers Union, and the United Steelworkers argued that drivers could legally work up to 84 hours in a seven-day period, an amount they say is unsafe and unfair to workers.

“Drivers need more time at home, not less time,” said CAW national representative Dave Tilley. “Drivers not only need the two full nights sleep, but they need the two full days off to spend time with their families. The proposed changes will now mean that Canada will have the longest allowable hours of driving time for truck and bus drivers in the world. This is totally unacceptable and is clearly a step backwards in terms of road safety.”

Supporters of the proposal, developed over the past seven years by a group of federal and provincial transport regulators, say it would increase current off-duty standards from eight to 10 hours and reduce the maximum number of hours a driver can work during a 24-hour period from 16 to 14. The proposal would also eliminate the cycle switching provisions of the existing standard that allow drivers to legally drive up to 104 hours in a week.

In June, the federal Standing Committee on Transport wrapped up hearings into the matter by endorsing the proposal, including an amendment developed by the Canadian Trucking Alliance and the Teamsters that would cap the number of consecutive driving hours at 13 each day.

If approved by the ministers this week, the proposal would replace the current National Safety Code guideline for the number of hours a truck driver should be allowed to work. The standard would then form the basis for changes to provincial regulations.